Thomas Waldrom's last-gasp try helped Exeter Chiefs complete a remarkable late comeback to see off Northampton Saints at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The Kiwi No.8 - who will leave the club at the end of the season - dotted down late on, with Joe Simmonds adding the extras to send Exe back to the top of the table.

A lively Northampton side led 30-17 with only 10 minutes remaining, but the reigning champions battled back to avoid a fourth straight Premiership defeat.

Rob Horne opened the scoring for Saints with a fine score down the left converted by Piers Francis. Exe drew level with a penalty try after their driving maul was collapsed close to the line, with prop Campese Ma'afu going to the sin-bin.

Will Chudley's fine play then set up Alec Hepburn to score, with Steenson adding the extras.

But an excellent break by Luther Burrell, finished off by Ben Foden, saw Saints re-take the lead with a try converted again by Francis for a 17-13 half-time advantage.

Exe struggled to regain the lead after the break as they struggled to find any momentum, with Saints holding firm in defence.

Don Armand finally scored and Simmonds added the extras to leave it all to play for heading into the final minutes.

Teimana Harrison then saw yellow for illegally collapsing a maul, and moments later Waldrom piled over to give Simmonds the chance to give Exeter a dramatic win.

And the young fly-half - who came on in place of Gareth Steenson - duly obliged to give the Chiefs the five-point victory and first place in the league again, at least until Sunday when Saracens play Leicester Tigers.